This article was co-authored by Cristian Macau, DDS. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic in London. He received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.

There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

Having a piece of popcorn stuck between your teeth is irritating and can be quite painful. Unlike many foods, popcorn hulls are not easily dissolved in saliva, and can persist for long periods of time between teeth and along gum lines. If it's not properly removed, food debris like popcorn left in hard-to-reach crevices can create an abscess that can fill with bacteria and lead to a potentially serious gum infection. Learning how to take care of the issue before it becomes a problem can allow you to feel better and avoid painful infections.

Steps

Method1

Using Floss and Other Objects

1

Use dental floss. The American Dental Association recommends using dental floss at least once every day, but especially when you know there is debris stuck between your teeth.[1] This may also include soft debris, which can include bread. The starch will turn into sugar and bacteria will grow.

Try to work the floss as close to the gum as possible between the teeth where the popcorn is stuck.[2]

Form the floss into a c-shape around one tooth, then around the next tooth.[3]

Work the floss back and forth or up and down keeping contact with your tooth to loosen the popcorn.

Rinse your mouth out with water.

2

Use a toothpick. Take great care to avoid stabbing or otherwise injuring your gums.

Insert the flat end of a toothpick between your teeth at the site where the popcorn is lodged.[4]

Gently work the popcorn out from between your teeth, moving it either upward or forward.[5]

If this doesn't work or if the toothpick doesn't have a flat end, use a pointed end and gently work the toothpick along your gums. Use extreme caution to avoid injuring your gums or the poking the inside of your mouth.[6]

If your teeth are too crooked, then you may need to look for a strong fabric wire that can act like a floss.

Try to work the popcorn out from between your teeth using the bristles in various strokes and movements. Once you remove the popcorn, rinse the bristles of your toothbrush to avoid reintroducing the debris into your mouth.

Method2

Removing Popcorn Without Floss

1

Move your tongue over the affected teeth. Try to gently "pick" at the popcorn using your tongue. Do not overdo this, as it may cause pain and inflammation to your tongue.

2

Rinse your mouth. You can use plain water, but using a salt water rinse will help ease any inflammation you're experiencing and reduce the chances of an infection. The gritty texture of salt may provide additional assistance in removing food debris.[9]

Mix one tablespoon of salt into an eight ounce glass of warm water.[10]

Stir until the salt is well-dissolved.

Swish the salt water on the affected side of your mouth. Try to focus your rinsing around the location of the popcorn. You can also use an oral irrigator or WaterPik if you have one.

3

Try chewing gum. Chewing gum increases salivation in the mouth, and can also help physically dislodge debris from your teeth.[11] Sugar-free chewing gum has even been shown to reduce dental debris by up to 50%.[12]

Focus your chewing on the affected side of your mouth for optimal results.

Method3

Treating the Pain Associated with Dental Debris

1

Take a pain reliever. If the dental debris remains lodged between your teeth long enough for an abscess or infection to form, it can be quite painful. An over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and relieve the pain until you can see a dentist.[13] Maintain good oral hygiene but avoid any excess trauma by trying to pull out the debris

2

Use clove oil. Clove oil has been shown to have pain-relieving and antibacterial properties.[14] Clove oil may help relieve dental pain until you can visit a dentist.[15]

Dab some clove oil onto a cotton ball or the tip of a cotton swab.

Apply the clove oil cotton to the site of the pain.

Repeat as needed until you can see your dentist.

3

Use a cold compress. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your mouth may help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.[16]

Wrap an ice pack in a towel. If you don't have an ice pack, wrap several ice cubes in a towel, or soak a towel in cold water.

Hold the towel over the affected side of your face.

Use the cold compress for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Then leave it off for at least 10 minutes before reapplying.[17] You can do this 3 to 4 times a day.

4

Call your dentist to schedule an appointment. Your dentist will be able to remove the irritating popcorn debris, and may perform a routine cleaning to ensure that there are no other problem areas in your mouth. If an abscess or infection has formed, your dentist will also be able to treat the problem, and may recommend a prescribed medication to help manage the pain.

If a piece of popcorn gets lodged under your gum and is not removed, it can form an abscess. In some cases, an untreated abscess can become so badly infected that it causes tooth loss. If you do get a piece of popcorn stuck in your gum, try removing it yourself first by brushing or flossing, but see your dentist if it doesn't come out with gentle cleaning. Do not let it fester so long it turns into a painful abscess.

Yes, popcorn kernels can cause an infection if lodged in the gum and left there to accumulate bacteria. This can result in an abscess, which can eventually lead to tooth loss if not properly treated. If you do get popcorn lodged in your gums, try swishing a little saltwater solution around your gums, then brush gently (trying to brush at an angle around the stuck piece); if no luck, then use floss to see if it dislodges or an oral irrigator (dental water jet) on a low setting. See your dentist if the kernel remains stuck after trying to remove it.

The answer to this will depend on what is sticking out of your tooth. Sometimes a clean fingernail appropriately placed can dislodge a stuck item, but a better option is brushing and flossing to see if this will dislodge items from between teeth. Soft toothpicks and oral irrigators (dental water jets) can sometimes be useful too. But this is a very general answer, not knowing what is stuck between your teeth; always see your dentist if normal teeth cleaning does not help you, to avoid the potential for causing an infection.

It is possible for popcorn to get stuck under your gums. Swish a little saltwater solution around your gums first, then brush (trying to swish the brush at an angle around where the piece is stuck); if no luck, then use floss to see if it dislodges. A soft pick meant for dental use may be useful for removing the piece of of popcorn. Using an oral irrigator (small water jet) on a gentle setting may help to dislodge it but be careful not to use the more powerful settings, as this might wedge it in even more. See your dentist if you are unsuccessful at removing it yourself; leaving it there can cause a painful infection to form.

You should not be eating corn on the cob while wearing braces, as the husks can get lodged behind the brackets. Biting the cob can even pop off the braces. To get it out, floss between your teeth and around your braces with specially designed floss threader after brushing correctly and carefully. Using a braces-friendly mouth rinse can help to clean out the particles as well. To prevent corn on the cob from getting stuck in your teeth again, cut the corn cleanly off the cob and onto a plate prior to eating.

To remove popcorn from your teeth, move your tongue around your mouth and apply pressure where you feel bits of popcorn. If that doesn’t get rid of the debris, try swishing water or another drink around your mouth. You can also chew gum, which will help to dislodge bits from your teeth while increasing salivation. If you’re at home, use dental floss to loosen the bits of popcorn. Alternatively, insert a toothpick between your teeth and move it around until you get rid of the popcorn. For more tips from our Dental co-author, including how to treat pain caused by food bits stuck in between your teeth, read on!

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Article Info

This article was co-authored by Cristian Macau, DDS. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic in London. He received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.